An independent testing facility has confirmed a sentinel chicken and one mosquito pool in St. Martin Parish have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Jessie Boudreaux Junior, head of Cajun Mosquito Control, tells KATC the chicken and mosquito pool were in Breaux Bridge.
The samples were collected in Breaux Bridge July 29th; the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab confirmed the positive results August 2nd.
After the results were confirmed, a round of spraying began in the Breaux Bridge area. That spraying concluded Sunday.
Boudreaux says mosquitoes from that area will continue to be tested. If there is another positive confirmation of the virus, another round of spraying will occur. Boudreaux says the second round of mosquito testing should happen sometime this week.
A new sentinel chicken will also be placed in the area to be tested. Boudreaux says that process should take one to two weeks.
Residents are asked to pay attention to any factors that could heighten the risk of West Nile in their area.
Also, residents are asked to be aware of the "5 D's": Make sure you "drain" stagnant water, use repellent containing "deet:,remember peak mosquito hours are "dawn" and "dusk", and "dress" in long sleeves and pants to prevent being bitten.